The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) will bring the biggest change in decades to how we pay physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries.

Chicago took a major step toward becoming the 34th jurisdiction in the country with a paid sick days law today, following unanimous approval by the city council. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has pledged to sign the ordinance. When it takes effect on July 1, 2017, more than 460,000 workers will newly gain the right to earn paid sick time. And the nation’s three most populous cities will guarantee this common sense protection.

The annual recognition of Equal Pay Day — the day that marks how far into the year women have had to work to catch up with what men were paid in the previous year — is always a stunning reminder of just how far we still have to go to reach true equality for women in this country.